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News - page 650

OP-Z pocket synthesizer uses the iPhone as its screen

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It’s tiny, yet more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
It’s tiny, yet more powerful than you can possibly imagine.
Photo: Teenage Engineering

This is Teenage Engineering’s amazing OP-Z, a tiny, TV-remote-size synthesizer and sequencer that has no screen, and yet manages to pack in a range of features that make users of “real” music hardware and software jealous. And if you do prefer working on a screen, you can hook it up to your iPhone via Bluetooth and use that.

SEC charges ex-Apple lawyer with insider trading

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Apple is worth more than the entire US energy sector combined
Former Apple lawyer Gene Levoff used confidential Apple earnings data to make millions.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple’s former lawyer who was in charge of preventing employees from insider trading has been charged with insider trading himself.

The Securities and Exchange Commission accuses Gene Levoff, former senior director of corporate law and corporate secretary at Apple, of using inside information to buy and sell tens of millions of dollars worth of Apple shares in order to make a profit or avoid losses.

How iOS makes it easier to manage your subscriptions

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Streaming services like Apple Music dominate the US music market
Apple's making it simpler to check your recurring iOS subscriptions.
Photo: Apple

Unlike some companies, Apple doesn’t want to sucker you into subscriptions by making it really hard to cancel them.

In fact, the latest iOS update makes it easier than ever to manage your recurring app subscriptions. Here’s how to dive in and take control of your iOS subscriptions.

GTA: Vice City looks better than ever on iPhone and iPad Pro

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GTA 2
Travel back to Vice City in style.
Photo: Rockstar Games

Amazingly, it’s more than 16 years since the legendary Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas landed on PlayStation 2. (That’s the same length of time that had elapsed, on its launch in 2002, since the game’s 1986 setting.)

Almost two decades later, the game is as much fun as it ever was. And now, thanks to an iOS update, its iPhone and iPad port looks better than ever.

Apple will investigate Saudi app that let men track wives and daughters

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Saudi government app
Government app can be used to restrict the travel of women in the country.
Screenshot: iTunes

Tim Cook says he will investigate a Saudi government app that lets men receive updates on the location of their wives and daughters.

Speaking on National Public Radio, Cook said he was not personally aware of the app. However, he noted that, “obviously we’ll take a look at it if [the complaints about it are accurate].”

Apple products have a repair shop problem in India

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Apple supplier is increasing its ability to build masses of iPhones in India
Apple has to rely on third-party repair shops in the country.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has another potential problem in India: the sub-par repair options available for its products.

According to a new report, Apple’s authorized repair shops in the country are disappointing to say the least. That’s especially bad for a company which is well known for providing some of the best customer service around.

Apple Store celebrates Heart Month with new health events

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Apple Watch Meidcare
That includes a life-saving ECG app.
Photo: Apple

Select Apple Stores around the United States are hosting new health events throughout February to celebrate American Heart Month.

The first took place at Apple Union Square in San Francisco on Monday and featured Apple vice president Dr. Sumbul Desai, fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins, and president of the American Heart Association, Robert Harrington.

Apple’s self-driving car project isn’t quite ready for prime time

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Here's how Apple Car might eliminate blind spots
Apple Car still needs some improvement.
Photo: Aristomenis Tsirbas/Freelancer

Apple’s autonomous car project is certainly exciting for Apple fans. It’s likely to be a while longer before the company is ready to officially launch what it’s been working on, however.

That’s according to a new “Disengagement Report” which covers the period December 2017 through November 2018. It refers to instances in which self-driving vehicles being tested on California roads had to pass control back to the human driver behind the wheel.

Nearly 1 in 4 young adults in U.S. now own a smartwatch

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Apple
The Apple Watch is the 'clear market leader,' too.
Photo: Apple

Among the all-important 18-34 year old age demographic, almost one quarter of U.S. adults reportedly own a smartwatch. And the Apple Watch is likely to be the device they own.

According to The NPD Group, U.S. smartwatch unit sales increased 61 percent during the 12-month period concluding in November 2018. The amount of money raked in was also, unsurprisingly, up — by almost $5 billion.

Apple soaks Google to sit in Safari’s sweet spot

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Google
Google pays a hefty sum to stay the default Safari search engine, making a real contribution to Apple’s bottom line.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

With sales of iPhones plateauing, money from its Services sector is playing an increasing role in Apple’s bottom line. There’s a significant source of this type of revenue many might not expect: arch-rival Google.

As part of its advertising business, Google pays Apple a huge sum every year to stay the default search engine in the Safari web browser. And it’s expected to grow.

Apple’s greedy terms for new service reportedly spook publishers

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Apple News
Apple wants a giant piece of publishers’ action
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly taking a hard line with publishers during its negotiations for a proposed news subscription service.

Aiming to become the “Netflix of news,” Apple’s as-yet-unannounced service would give customers unlimited access to articles from popular publishers for just $10 per month. However, news organizations are reportedly balking at Apple’s proposed revenue split, which sounds downright greedy.

Apple takes heat over Saudi app that tracks women

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Saudi government app
A Saudi man can use a government app to restrict the travel of his wife or daughter.
Screenshot: iTunes

A U.S. senator is asking Apple and Google to pull an app in Saudi Arabia that men use to track and restrict the movements of women.

Sen. Ron Wyden wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google boss Sundar Pichai asking them to “immediately remove” the app Absher, from their app stores.

Porn, gambling apps abuse Apple’s developer program to sneak onto iPhones

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Apple Developer Enterprise Program
Apple’s Developer Enterprise Program can be misused to distribute iPhone software that violates the company’s community guidelines.
Photo: Apple

It turns out Facebook and Google aren‘t the only companies misusing the system Apple created to allow companies to share internal iOS apps with their workers. Software with hardcore pornography and  gambling have been distributed to the public via the Developer Enterprise Program.

Epic confirms massive changes for Fortnite 7.40

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Fortnite hand cannon
Epic won't tolerate Fortnite hacks.
Photo: Epic Games

Epic Games will make big changes to Fortnite’s planes, zip lines, rocket launcher, and more in its upcoming 7.40 update.

The balance tweaks to some of the game’s more controversial weapons and items come amid growing complaints from the community about the current state of Fortnite. And Epic says these are just some of the changes on the way.

WWDC 2019 is probably set for June 3-7

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WWDC 2019
Apple CEO Tim Cook on stage for WWDC 2018.
Photo: Apple

Apple has likely booked the San Jose McEnery Convention Center to host WWDC 2019 from June 3 to June 7.

The tech giant typically waits until March to announce the dates for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. However, a city events calendar lists June 6 for the conference’s big party for attendees, the WWDC Bash.

Apple throws in the towel on plans for flagship store in Stockholm

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Stockholm
The Apple Store that will never be.
Photo: Feber

Apple has reportedly ditched ideas to develop an Apple store in Stockholm, Sweden. This came after the Stockholm City Council vetoed plans for a proposed flagship retail store in the area.

According to a member Stockholm Urban Development Committee, Apple representatives were extremely upset after their proposal was rejected. The company had already made revisions to its proposal in order to fit the proposed historic location better. Apple also turned down officials who said they would help find a new location for the Apple Store.

Qualcomm fined for offering illegal kickbacks to phone-makers

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Qualcomm patents
Qualcomm lost its battle with South Korea's FTC.
Photo: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has suffered a blow by losing a lawsuit to South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission. Korea’s FTC alleged unfair business practices that allowed Qualcomm to hold onto its monopoly position as a mobile chip maker.

The case covers the 2000 to 2009 period, but Qualcomm has spent the past decade fighting it. Qualcomm must pay a total of $242 million in damages, although part of this will be reconsidered at a lower court.

Apple might make us wait until fall for brand-new AirPods

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AirPods and case
But wireless charging could come sooner.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

We might be waiting a while to get our hands on Apple’s second-generation AirPods, according to a prominent tipster.

The new wireless earbuds — rumored to bring “Hey Siri” support and new color options — may not appear until this fall. In the meantime, Apple could launch a wireless AirPods charging case.

$723 million bailout could rescue struggling Apple supplier

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The iPhone XS Max is 25 percent larger than any previous iOS handset. So how is it as an iPad mini replacement?
Japan Display has struggled to catch up rivals in OLED displays.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Chinese and Taiwanese investors reportedly will throw a lifeline to Apple supplier Japan Display in the form of a $723 million bailout.

Taiwanese panel-maker TPK Holding, also an Apple manufacturer, and China’s state-backed Silk Road Fund would give the cash to the struggling Apple supplier in exchange for a 30 percent to 50 percent stake in the company.